Archbishop of Canterbury pays tribute to Michael Scott-Joynt

Archbishop Justin has paid tribute to the former Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Michael Scott-Joynt, who died yesterday.

Paying tribute to the long-serving bishop, Archbishop Justin said:

"In the death of Michael Scott-Joynt the Church of England has lost a faithful, hard working and distinguished servant.

There will be many who will be so profoundly grateful for his ministry and the way he touched their lives. Michael early on in his career guided the lives of ordinands as a tutor at Cuddesdon. But he was also a priest who knew what it was to minister in parish churches in Bicester and to work with his fellow clergy as a Rural Dean. As a former DDO he would have helped many to understand how God was calling them to service.

All this informed his understanding of what it means to be a bishop in Stafford and Winchester.

His tenure in Winchester was more than 15 years, during which he not only served that See with distinction, but made a vital contribution to the House of Bishops and to the work of the Church in the House of Lords. With his ability to grasp detail and a remarkable stamina, he fulfilled all the demands made of him with a willingness that made him highly respected not only in the church, but far beyond. In addition Michael served as Prelate to the Order of the Garter, a privilege which he was honoured to fulfill with loyalty and care in service of his Sovereign.

In the wider communion there will be many mourning his passing, as he both cared about and championed many of the dioceses with which Winchester was linked, who suffered not only from lack of resources, but the scourges of war and famine.

He was a person not afraid to say what he believed, even when he knew those views might not be popular. But all this he did from his deep faith, and after much careful prayer.

Sadly he did not have a long retirement, and in much of it he suffered illness. But characteristically, he would come to events when he could, where his presence was always welcomed.

He enjoyed a wonderful marriage and Lou was at his side when he died. To her and to daughter Hannah and sons Matthew and Jeremy and all the family I offer deepest sympathy and prayers, which will include prayers of deep thankfulness for this faithful servant of Jesus Christ."

The funeral of Bishop Michael Scott-Joynt will be held at Winchester Cathedral on Friday 10th October at 11.30 am, followed by a burial.